Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Week 12 of the 2024 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through April 14, 2024.

The 3-year-old poll represents horses competing up to and through the Triple Crown. Rankings are based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. First place votes are in parentheses.

AMERICA’S TOP 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS FOR APRIL 15, 2024

Sierra Leone. (Carson Blevins/Eclipse Sportswire)

1. Sierra Leone (22 first-place votes)

Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, Peter M. Brant

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes,  April 6 at Keeneland

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Fierceness. (Bailey Ortiz/Eclipse Sportswire)

2. Fierceness  (10 first-place votes)

Owner: Repole Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

2024 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, March 30  at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Muth. (Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire)

3. Muth (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey:  Juan Hernandez

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Arkansas Derby, March 30 at Oaklawn Park

Next race:  Preakness Stakes, May 18 at Pimlico

Catching Freedom. (Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire)

4. Catching Freedom 

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2024 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 23 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Stronghold. (BENOIT photo)

5. Stronghold

Owners: Eric Waller and Sharon Waller

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Santa Anita Derby, April 6 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Nysos. (Justin Fine)

6. Nysos 

Owner: Baoma Corp.

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 3 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD, sidelined due to minor injury reported March 12

Forever Young. (Shamela Hanley/Eclipse Sportswire)

7. Forever Young

Owner: Susumo Fujita

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal, March 30 at Meydan Racecourse

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Resilience. (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire)

8. Resilience

Owners: Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: John Velazquez

2024 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino,  April 6 at Aqueduct

Next race:  Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Just a Touch. (Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire)

9. Just a Touch

Owners: Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing, Marc Detampel

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey:  Florent Geroux

2024 record: 3 starts – 1 win –2 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes,  April 6 at Keeneland

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

Endlessly. (Jessica Morgan/Eclipse Sportswire)

10. Endlessly

Owners: Amerman Racing

Trainer: Michael McCarthty

Jockey: Umberto Rispoili

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Jeff Ruby Steaks, March 23 at Turfway Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs

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